Reclining exercising device

ABSTRACT

An elongate flexible panel on which a user rests, which is supported within the confines of two U-shaped tubular pivotally connected frames. The frames in turn are pivotally supported by a number of upwardly extending links connected to the centers of the upper apexes of M-shaped transversely connected side pieces that may be collapsed at will from this expanded first position to a contracted second position for storage. When the side pieces are in a first expanded position the user may pivot the frames angularly relative to one another and at least partially by the weight of his body to make active exercise simple and easy, and in so doing, stretch and strengthen the body muscles. The panel is of zippered structure and is removably secured to the side pieces of the frames.

United States Patent 3.378.254 4/1968 Kupchinski 272/58 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner- Richard DiaZ. Jr. Attorney-William C. Babcock ABSTRACT: An elongate flexible panel on which a user rests, which is supported within the confines of two U-shaped tubular pivotally connected frames. The frames in turn are pivotally supported by a number of upwardly extending links connected to the centers of the upper apexes of M-shaped transversely connected side pieces that may be collapsed at will from this expanded first position to a contracted second position for storage. When the side pieces are in a first expanded position the user may pivot the frames angularly relative to one another and at least partially by the weight of his body to make active exercise simple and easy, and in so doing, stretch and strengthen the body muscles. The panel is of zippered structure and is removably secured to the side pieces of the frames.

PATENTED FEB 9m 3561.772 sum 2 OF 2 INVENTOR I JOAN 60g 75. 5

RECLINING EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A lightweight portable exercising device that may easily be expanded into a usable position whereupon the user may rest thereon, by exerting the weight of his body, portions of the device relative to one another and stretch and strengthen the body muscles. 1

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past, numerous exercising devices have been developed and use to a limited extent. However, such prior devices have suffered from the operational disadvantages of being heavy, bulky and cumbersome, structurally complicated, occupied substantial space when not in use, and usually retailed at such high prices as to be beyond the reach of many having a need thereof.

The present invention overcomes the operational disadvantages of such prior devices by providing an exercising device of simple structure that is lightweight, easily portable, may be collapsed when not in use into a compact unit for storage, can be fabricated from standard, commercially available materials, and retailed at a sufficiently low price as to encourage the widespread use thereof.

SUMMARY oF THEINVENTION An exercising device for stretching and strengthening the body muscles of the user which includes elongate, flexible panels supported within the confines of two pivotally connected U-shaped tubular frames, with the frames, in turn, being pivotally connected to a number of upwardly extending links. These links are pivotally connected to substantially the centers of upper apexes of two transversely connected collapsible frames. The frames are capable of being expanded to first position where they are in the forms of the letter M, or collapsed to second positions in which the unit occupies a minimum of space for convenient storage.

When the frames are in the first position, the user U may recline on the panel and implement his body weight to assist in pivoting the frame upwardly and downwardly, and in so doing, stretch and strengthen his body muscles.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight portable exercising device of simple mechanical structure that may be fabricated from standard, commercially available materials, one that is strong, durable, requires a minimum of maintenance attention, and is silent in operation.

Another object of the invention is to supply a device in which the users body weight may be exerted to assist in the stretching and the strengthening of his muscles, with the intensity of the exercise being determined completely by the desire and physical capability of the user.

A still further object of the invention is to furnish an exercising device in which the flexible panel on which a user rests may be quickly and easily removed from the supporting frames for washing or replacement.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish an exercising device having pivotal connections of such structure as not to be damaged even when the user is unusually heavy and energetic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device, with the side pieces in first expanded positions to permit use of the device for exercising purposes;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device in a second collapsed position in which it occupies a minimum of space for convenient storage;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the upper apex portions on one of the side pieces, illustrating the manner in which links are pivotally connected to the center portions of the apexes. As well as the manner in which the upper apex portions are pivotally connected to adjacently disposed tubular members;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a lower center apex portion of one of the side pieces, illustrating the manner in which it is pivotally connected to adjacently disposed tubular members;

FIG. Sis an end elevational view of the device;

FIG. 6 is a combined bottom plan view and transverse crosssectional view of the device, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5',

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the device, taken of the lines 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device, taken on the lines 8-8 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the device illustrating the manner in which it is used, and showing a user in two different exercise positions, one of which is shown in phantom line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. I it will be seen that the exercising device includes an elongate rectangular flexible panel A on which the user rests, as may best be seen in FIG. 9. The panel A is supported within the confines of two U-shaped tubular frames B illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjacent free ends of which are pivotally joined by connections C. Connections C also serve to pivotally support a transverse reinforcing member D of U- shaped configuration that is also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The panel A is preferably removably supported on the U- shaped frames B by the zipper construction E shown in FIG. 6. Two pairs of upwardly extending links F are provided (FIGS. 1 and 7), the lower ends of which are pivotally joined to the frames B by connections G, as illustrated in detail in FIG. 7. The exercising device also includes two transversely connected, laterally spaced side pieces H, shown in FIGS. I and 2. that may occupy either the first expanded position shown in FIG. 1, or the collapsed second position illustrated in FIG. 2.

When in the first position (FIG. I) the side pieces are of M- shaped configuration, with the upper portions of the legs F being pivotally joined to the upper apex portions of the side pieces by connections I as best seen in FIG. 7.

Each of the U-shaped tubular frames 8 (FIG. 1) includes two laterally spaced, parallel sides 10 that have flattened free end portions 12. Transversely aligned bores 12a are formed in the overlapping end portions 12 as shown in detail in FIG. 8. The sides 10 of each frame B are joined by a transverse end piece 14, as illustrated in FIG. I.

The reinforcing member D (FIGS. 1 and 8) includes a cross piece 16 having two legs 18 extending upwardly from the ends thereof, with each leg being provided with a flattened end portion 20 that is disposed adjacently to the flattened end portions 12. A transverse bore 20a is formed in each end portion 20, and is transversely aligned with two of the openings 12a, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The end portions 12 and 20 are separated by antifriction washers 22 that are preferably formed from nylon, or like material.

Each end portion 20 (FIG. 8) is located adjacent to two of the end'portions 12, with a rivet 24 extending through the bores 12a and 20a to pivotally join the end portions and provide one of the pivotal connections C. Two recesses 26 are formed in the panel A, as illustrated in FIG. 1, adjacent the pivotal connection C, to permit the connection to be replaced should it become necessary.

The side portions of the panel A on each side of the recesses 26 are of sufficient widths as to wrap about the sides 10, with the free edges of the paneland the free edges of strips 28 sewn, or otherwise affixed, to the under side thereof, and to which interlocking zippers E are attached, as illustrated in FIG. 6. By use of the zipper structure E, the panel A may be removed from the sides 10 for washing, replacement or the like, without disturbing the tubular structure of the invention.

Each side piece H (FIG. 1) includes two upwardly and inwardly extending tubular legs provided with curved upper apex-defining portions 32 formed as a part thereof. Legs 30 of one side piece H are in transverse alignment with comparable legs 30 of the other side piece, and the legs 30 of the two side pieces are connected at their lower extremities by crosspieces 31. Each upper apex portion 32 also includes a downwardly extending projection 32a that acts as a stop, as will be explained later. A lower curved apex-defining member 34 of tubular structure having upwardly and outwardly extending projecting extensions 34a is provided on each side piece H that serve as stops therefor. Two tubular members 36 are also provided for each side piece H which extend between the free ends of the upper apex portions 32 and the lower apex member 34.

Rivets 38 project transversely through the apex portions 32 adjacent the extensions 32a, and the lower apex portion 34 to pivotally connect the tubular members 36 to the upper and lower apex portions, as shown in FIG. 1. The rivets 38 permit the side pieces H to be collapsed into the second position shown in FIG. 2, where the legs 30 and tubular members 36 are adjacently to one another in a compact relationship, to minimize the space required in which to store the invention when not in use.

Two pairs of transversely aligned openings 40 are formed in the two side pieces of each frame B (FIG. 7), and an inwardly extending circular rib 42 of metal is associated with each opening. The ribs 42 are formed by a punching operation and serve as reinforcements to prevent enlargement of the openings 14 when the sides are subjected to a heavy load. A ri\et 44 extends through each pair of openings 40, which is substantially greater in length than the size of the diameter of each side 10. Each rivet 44 includes a head 46, as shown in FIG. 7, the diameter of which is greater than that of the openings 40. Each rivet 44 extends through a block 48 of an antifriction material, which block has concave curved inner surface 50 that abuts against the exterior surface of one of the sides 10.

Each block 48 includes an outwardly extending projection 52 which is longer than the thickness of one of the links F, and an opening 54 is formed in each link that pivotally engages one of the projections 52. The washer 56 abuts against the outer surface of the extension 52 (FIG. 7) and is slightly spaced apart for the most adjacent surface of the link F. That portion of each rivet 44 adjacent its associated washer 56 is expanded to provide a transverse area greater than that of the openings 40, and also provides a head 58 to prevent separation of the rivet 44 from the block 48 and washer 56. Should it be desired, ball or roller bearing assemblies (Not Shown) could be mounted on the bodies 48 to pivotally engage the links F.

The elements above described cooperatively provide the pivotal connection G as best shown in FIG. 7. The connections I are located at substantially the center of the upper apexdefining portions 32 as shown in FIG. 1, and are of the same structure as the connections G. Accordingly, the elements comprising each connection I are identified in the drawings by the same identifying numerals used with comparable elements in the connection G, and need not again be described in detail. A prime is affixed to the elements comprising the connection I to differentiate them from the elements comprising connections G shown in the same FIG.

In use, the operation of the invention is relatively simple. Normally the exercising device will be stored when in the second position shown in FIG. 2. When it is desired to use the device, the side pieces H are expanded to the M-shaped configurations shown in FIG. 1, with the projections 32a and 34a acting as stops to maintain the legs 30 and tubular members 36 in fixed angular relationship when the side pieces H are subjected to a users weight as illustrated in FIG. 9. The links F extend upwardly from the frames B to substantially the center of the apex portions 32, whereby the weight of the user is evenly distributed on the supporting surface (Not Shown) through the legs 30, tubular members 36, and lower apex-defining portion 34.

When a user U rests on the panel A and exercises, his feet 60 and hands 62 are in engagement with the end pieces 14. By exerting his weight, force exerted by his feet 60 and hands 62,

the user U may pivot the frames upwardly and downwardly relative to one another, and in so doing flex and strengthen his muscles. The tubular material used in the invention is preferably of stainless steel.

I claim:

1. An exercising device for stretching and strengthening the body muscles, including:

a. an elongate, flexible, rectangular body-supporting panel;

b. two U-shaped tubular metallic frames having parallel sides with the ends thereof being free and in adjacent relationship;

0. first means for pivotally connecting said free ends of one U-shaped frame to the free ends of the other of said frames;

(1. second means on said free ends of said U-shaped frames for transversely reinforcing the same; I

. third means for removably supporting said panel within the confines of said U-shaped frames with said third means comprising longitudinally extending zipper means on said panel, which when in closed positions maintain longitudinally extending edge portions of said panel in encircling positions about said sides of said frames;

f. two pairs of upwardly extending links, the lower ends of which are disposed adjacent intermediate positions of said sides;

g. fourth means for pivotally connecting said lower ends of said links to said sides;

. two parallel, laterally spaced and laterally connected side pieces, each of which are defined by a plurality oftubular members pivotally connected to one another, with each of said side pieces being adapted to expand into an M shaped configuration that include two upper apex portions as well as a lower apex portion and two end portions which rest on a flat supporting surface, with each of said side pieces being capable of collapsing into a second position where said tubular members are substantially parallel to one another; and

i. fifth means for pivotally connecting the upper ends of said links to substantially the center of said upper apexes whereupon when a user rests on said panel when said side pieces are in said first position and moves to dispose said frames in a plurality of angularly disposed positions, the weight of said user is equally distributed to said upper apexes, with said upper apexes in turn equally distributing said users weight to said lower apexes and end portions of said side pieces to minimize the strain placed on any localized portions ofsaid side pieces.

2. An exercising device as defined in claim I, wherein said panel is recessed adjacent said first means to permit said first means to be replaced without removing said panel from said frames.

3. An exercising device as defined in claim 1, wherein said free ends of said frames are flattened and overlap, and in which said overlapped flattened ends transverse, axially aligned openings are formed, which first means includes:

j. a plurality of antifriction washers disposed between said flattened endsof said sides and in axial alignment with said openings therein; and

k. a plurality of rivets extending through said openings in said flattened ends of said sides and said washers for pivotally connecting said frames to one another.

4. An exercising device as defined in claim 3, wherein said second means comprises a U-shaped tubular member having two laterally spaced, parallel tubular legs, with free end portions of said legs being flattened and in which transversely aligned openings are formed and with said openings in said legs being pivotally engaged by said rivets.

5. An exercising device as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of pairs of openings are defined in said sides by applica tion of an inward force thereto that forms a circular, inwardly extending rib of metal about each opening to prevent enlargement of said opening when a radially directed force is applied to said rib, which fourth means includes:

j. a plurality of rivets having heads. each of which rivets ex tends through one of said pair of openings;

k. a plurality of rigid blocks having openings formed therein through which said rivets project, with said blocks being in abutting contact with said sides and including projecting portions of circular transverse cross section that pivotally engage openings in lower portions of said links;

1. a plurality of antifriction washers mounted on said projecting portions of said blocks and outwardly disposed thereon relative to said links; and

m. a plurality of deformed rivet end portions adjacent said washers that are of sufficient transverse cross-sectional area to prevent disengagement of said blocks and washers from said rivets.

6. An exercising device as defined in claim 5, wherein said 

1. An exercising device for stretching and strengthening the body muscles, including: a. an elongate, flexible, rectangular body-supporting panel; b. two U-shaped tubular metallic frames having parallel sides with the ends thereof being free and in adjacent relationship; c. first means for pivotally connecting said free ends of one Ushaped frame to the free ends of the other of said frames; d. second means on said free ends of said U-shaped frames for transversely reinforcing the same; e. third means for removably supporting said panel within the confines of said U-shaped frames with said third means comprising longitudinally extending zipper means on said panel, which when in closed positions maintain longitudinally extending edge portions of said panel in encircling positions about said sides of said frames; f. two pairs of upwardly extending links, the lower ends of which are disposed adjacent intermediate positions of said sides; g. fourth means for pivotally connecting said lower ends of said links to said sides; h. two parallel, laterally spaced and laterally connected side pieces, each of which are defined by a plurality of tubular members pivotally connected to one another, with each of said side pieces being adapted to expand into an M-shaped configuration that include two upper apex portions as well as a lower apex portion and two end portions which rest on a flat supporting surface, with each of said side pieces being capable of collapsing into a second position where said tubular members are substantially parallel to one another; and i. fifth means for pivotally connecting the upper ends of said links to substantially the center of said upper apexes whereupon when a user rests on said panel when said side pieces are in said first position and moves to dispose said frames in a plurality of angularly disposed positions, the weight of said user is equally distributed to said upper apexes, with said upper apexes in turn equally distributing said user''s weight to said lower apexes and end portions of said side pieces to minimize the strain placed on any localized portions of said side pieces.
 2. An exercising device as defined in claim 1, Wherein said panel is recessed adjacent said first means to permit said first means to be replaced without removing said panel from said frames.
 3. An exercising device as defined in claim 1, wherein said free ends of said frames are flattened and overlap, and in which said overlapped flattened ends transverse, axially aligned openings are formed, which first means includes: j. a plurality of antifriction washers disposed between said flattened ends of said sides and in axial alignment with said openings therein; and k. a plurality of rivets extending through said openings in said flattened ends of said sides and said washers for pivotally connecting said frames to one another.
 4. An exercising device as defined in claim 3, wherein said second means comprises a U-shaped tubular member having two laterally spaced, parallel tubular legs, with free end portions of said legs being flattened and in which transversely aligned openings are formed and with said openings in said legs being pivotally engaged by said rivets.
 5. An exercising device as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of pairs of openings are defined in said sides by application of an inward force thereto that forms a circular, inwardly extending rib of metal about each opening to prevent enlargement of said opening when a radially directed force is applied to said rib, which fourth means includes: j. a plurality of rivets having heads, each of which rivets extends through one of said pair of openings; k. a plurality of rigid blocks having openings formed therein through which said rivets project, with said blocks being in abutting contact with said sides and including projecting portions of circular transverse cross section that pivotally engage openings in lower portions of said links;
 6. An exercising device as defined in claim 5, wherein said fifth means is of substantially the same structure as said fourth means.
 7. An exercising device as defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular members in each side piece include: j. two first tubular legs having curved upper apex-defining portions; k. a curved tubular lower apex-defining member; l. two straight tubular members extending between said lower apex-defining members and said upper apex-defining portions; and m. a plurality of rivets that pivotally connect the lower ends of said tubular members to the ends of said lower apex-defining member and to said upper apex-defining portions. 